March 26, 2011
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Wondering
Hello my Xanga brothers and sisters!
So I have a free moment to blog more than merely a copy-paste of something wonderful. Yet I’m afraid that I will likely leave you unsatisfied with this as well since I have more of a question as opposed to anything profound to share, though I hope that this entry is merely the antechamber to an actual post.
I was considering writing about the retreat I went on recently but I became very hesitant. Why? I am concerned that were I to share about it, some of those who read of it might be disheartened because they have not had similar experiences of prayer, or think they see a person for whom prayer comes easily, etc. Basically I’m concerned that though I would share simply for the sake of sharing and in the hopes that my own experiences would encourage others in their own spiritual pilgrimage toward Heaven, others might become disheartened or maybe a bit envious. I would be heartbroken if such sharing led to the further hurt and sense of abandon someone might be experiencing out there.
I also realize that by even bringing this up your curiosity is likely frothing at the mouth. I remember back in 2007 I posted the journal I kept during the Spiritual Exercises and while I’ve considered taking those posts down for the above concern and also because many of those thoughts and insights have since matured a great deal (praise God!), they have yet proven to be of help to many. But before I add anything like them, I thought I would get a sense of what you all think.
So what do you think about people sharing personal, life-changing experiences of God? Have you ever read such accounts and felt even more neglected by God, less special, less blessed, etc.? Do you think that such experiences are private gifts and are not meant to be shared abroad, should be shared or does it depend?
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Comments (21)
I think gifts of the spirit are to be absolutely shared. I can understand the concern about people feeling neglected by God, etc, but I think the good in sharing those stories far outweighs the bad. I think, perhaps, that emphasizing that God acts uniquely in each person’s life, and also emphasizing the old “blessed are those who do not see and still Believe!” concept works.
Also, you could intersperse pictures of bacon, legos and kittens throughout your post. It might distract them long enough from their own concerns about God’s plans for them in their own lives. I’m sure the apostles didn’t sleep when Jesus was praying in the garden… they were looking up pics of lego constructions on Tumblr.
@QuantumStorm - When I said…
” I think, perhaps, that emphasizing that God acts uniquely in each person’s life, and also emphasizing the old “blessed are those who do not see and still Believe!” concept works. “
I mean in terms of mitigating any concerns people would have about God supposedly “neglecting” them. Sorry for the lack of clarity on my part.
@QuantumStorm - I understood you the first time, but it is good that you clarified in case someone else comes along later and is confused.
I just think it is awesome that you replied to yourself haha!
I’d love to hear about it.
@Ancient_Scribe - Just bringing out the little schizo in me.
While sometimes reading those type of things can bring out some…envy, jealousy, perhaps, it also gives me a sense of hope and refreshment. Our God still works in mighty powerful ways and although I may not feel it when reading of others’ experiences, it gives me hopes that I can and will feel those things.
Brothers and sisters ought to be able to share joys together without worry. I’ve always been encouraged by such sharing. No story has made me felt neglected by God. Even if I felt that way I wouldn’t be abnormal. That seems to be a common place to be. Mother Theresa shows us that. Anyway, I don’t think you need to worry too much about it.
Definitely share! Some people (probably many!) will be blessed and encouraged, some will feel a little envious, but it shouldn’t be viewed as a competition anyway. Some of us have never heard from god (I guess there are some people he doesn’t communicate with) and would like to know what it’s like.
So please, talk about it.
I think it’s an understandable concern, but you have at least two strong examples in your favor. St. Paul went into detail on his own mystical experiences for the benefit of his readers (though he was often self-deprecating at the same time, and sometimes said, “But what I experienced was beyond words”), and B16 has been candid in explaining to Peter Sewald (and elsewhere) that he is blessed to have such familiarity with the Lord that he seldom prays to the saints and generally communes directly with Christ. Not bad company to keep.
Your story of the pilgramage taken last year is part of my “life philosophy” manual. This is something that I want my children and grandchildren to read. =)
I understand your qualms but I also think those experiences are meant to be shared. Whatever you want to do would be fine with all of us, I’m sure.
I already feel left out of those kinds of experiences. If you post about them it probably wouldn’t change that. So if you want to go ahead, if that is what you feel moved to do.
I’d like to hear whatever you have to say. I expect I’ll be nudged closer to God, not further from. (If anything, I feel like I’ve neglected Him, not the other way around.) I do think that God gives us gifts and experiences in order that we might share with others, but I think he also deals with us as individuals in accordance with His own timing and purposes. Who knows, maybe the blessings you receive today may be mine tomorrow. Or perhaps He has something else in mind for me. Whatever God has in store for us as individuals, I hope we can always find mutual encouragement.
I’m drawing a blank on the reference, but aren’t we as Christians supposed to share in both times of joy and times of sorrow? As such sharing the blessing you have been given should be encouraging to us all.
I’ve always enjoyed reading about others’ religious and spiritual experiences. While I’ve never had one of my own, it’s always a refreshing read.
I think you should share! ….as long, of course, as you are not sharing too much.
What you share would probably encourage me. I think, it is not about WHAT you share… it is about HOW you share. And I’m sure that you, Jacob, would be able to do that well.
I love to read about others’ intimacy with God. It makes me long for Him even more.
Oh my gosh. Every.single.time. it makes me feel in such a way. Then again, most everything people share makes me feel in such a way. However, this is your blog…
Sharing is totally appropriate for the building-up of the body of Christ. You wouldn’t be tooting your own horn, but God’s. You’d be giving us an example of some of the graces God can give.
So many people have never had such experiences, and maybe you’d be making such experiences more accessible to the people who haven’t experienced it.
For me, I could use that kind of encouragement. I have had many such experiences, but they seem to come in phases. I miss them when I’m not having them, and I like to read about others experiences as a form of encouragement and study. Because I spent my teens in charismatic churches (Episcopal and non-denominational), I am very drawn to the Catholic Mystics. I can’t get enough of the trilogy by Torkington called The Hermit, The Prophet, and The Mystic because I relate so much and I grow so much from the chracters’ mystical experiences. The stories read like a how-to in spirituality, and I imagine that your sharing could have the same effect. Please do share!
Since your experiences have nothing whatsoever to do with your own merits, but are pure grace, telling about them sings the glory of God.